Nikki Worrell - The Enforcer (NHL Scorpions)

Dear Lace,

Thank you for spending the night with me. You’ll never know how great you make me feel. I can honestly say that last night was the best night of my life.

Please help yourself to anything that you find anywhere in the house. And keep the spare key; I’m hoping you’ll want to use it often.

I know you’ll be taking the trolley back to Zoe’s, so please, for me, keep your pepper spray in your hand and send me a text when you leave my house and when you get back to Zoe’s. I would consider it a personal favor.

I’ll talk to you later, Angel.

Xoxo,

Jody

Lacey must have read the letter ten times before she got out of bed with a goofy smile on her face. Izzy was on the floor and woofed when Lacey stepped on her tail. “Awww, I’m sorry Iz. I wasn’t paying attention.” Izzy, of course, immediately forgave her and showed her so with entirely too many licks to her face. “Okay, that’s enough girl.” She allowed Izzy to lick her cheek because she was getting another shower, but it probably wasn’t a good habit to get into.

After a shower, she made herself a bagel from Jody’s freezer and headed home to get her car so she could go to Training Camp.

Lacey arrived at the rink about an hour later, but couldn’t find an empty parking spot. She saw one of the security guards and asked him if she could park in the back where the players park.

“Sorry, only the members from the organization can park back there, Miss.” He leaned down to look at her. “Oh, you’re Jody’s gal. My apologies. I didn’t get a good look at you. Sure hun, you can go on back.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.” Lacey was just getting out of her car when she saw Steven standing there, not five feet from her.

“How the hell did you get back here Steven?”

“The guard had to take a leak and when he left, I walked back here. I knew you’d be here so I waited. I’ve been waiting almost an hour for you.” He walked over to her, putting his hands on her shoulders. “Now, what do you say we just forget all your foolishness and get out of here?”

“Steven, we’ve been through this. I’m not going anywhere with you.” When she tried to walk away, he grabbed her around the waist and held her tight, her back to his front.

“Yes, you are going with me, Lacey. It’s your only choice. I told you once before that if I couldn’t have you, no one could. Don’t fucking push me.” Steven knew he was losing it, but it didn’t matter anymore. He needed her at all costs.

“Let me go!” Lacey brought her foot down hard on his instep. She twisted away from him, but was too slow, and he grabbed her arm, spinning her around to face him.

“You little bitch!” Furious at her for stomping on his foot, he backhanded her across her right cheekbone, hard enough that it hurt his hand. Lacey was stunned and fell to the pavement, blood slipping down her cheek from the cut his ring had made. As she fell to the pavement, she heard someone yell, followed by a loud crack. She looked up and saw Jody through the second story window that he had just cracked with his fist.

Before she could even get up, Cage Booker was there, punching Steven repeatedly. Steven was screaming and begging him to stop. “Stop! Please stop hitting me!”

Cage finally stepped away from the bloodied Steven. “What the fuck man? What the fuck are you doing hitting a woman? Get the fuck up so I can knock you down again, you piece of shit!” Cage was a wild man. And luckily for Lacey, he was always late, which is the only reason he was in the parking lot then.

Jody came flying out the door with a murderous look on his face. Lacey got up and ran to him, but seeing her bleeding made it worse. Shit, he’s going to kill him. “Jody stop. Just stop, and listen to me.” Jody looked at her, but Lacey didn’t even think he saw her through his rage.

Cage saw that Steven was trying to slink away so he cold-clocked him. Problem solved; he wasn’t going anywhere until he regained consciousness. “That’ll teach the little fucker. You want me to call the cops Chief?”

Jody looked at him like he’d forgotten he was there and then down at the crumpled Steven. “Yeah.”

Vlad came running out when he heard what had happened. “Jesus Lacey, are you okay?” Jody was just standing there like he was in shock.

“I think so. I don’t know about Jody, though.” Lacey walked over to him, and he gathered her in his arms.

“I’m so sorry, Lace. I’m sorry I wasn’t here. I promised you I wouldn’t let him hurt you. I’m so sorry, Angel.” Jody had failed. Again. Just like he did with his sister.

The tender way Jody was holding her and stroking her hair was her undoing. To her eternal embarrassment, she burst into tears. Between Steven hitting her and Jody gentling her, it was just too much to take in.

“Aw Lace – shhh, Angel, I’m here.” He continued to stroke her hair and started rubbing her back in soothing circles, all the while whispering calming words in her ear.

When she finally looked up at him, he looked like he might actually cry. Jesus, oh God no, anything but that. How could this big, strong, alpha male look so vulnerable? She cupped his face and apologized for losing it like that.

“Jody, I’m sorry. I’m okay. I mean, it hurts, but I’ll be fine.” Trying to find a smile she continued, “At least now I can probably get that restraining order. And Jody – listen to me. This is not your fault. You can’t control everything and shouldn’t expect to.”

Jody rubbed a hand over his eyes, looked at Steven again, and started walking over to him. “Wait!” Lacey pulled on the back of Jody’s shirt. “Stop. Let the cops take care of him.”

Cage walked over to them, flexing his hand. “Dude’s got a hard jaw.” He was totally unconcerned that he had just beaten Steven so hard that he knocked him out. “I called the cops, Chief. They’ll be here in a sec.” Jody nodded his head in thanks.

Lacey turned Jody around and put her hands on his face. “If you promise not to touch him, I’ll promise to learn self defense. I’ll promise to never be alone until Steven goes back to London. I’ll do whatever you think I should to ensure my safety. Just don’t get yourself in trouble.” Lacey would promise him anything if he’d leave Steven alone. She knew that if he got a hold of Steven, Jody would be the one to get thrown in jail. She was also a little afraid that he might go too far if he gave in to his rage.

Jody turned his head and kissed her palm. “Okay, I promise. When camp is over for the day, I’ll follow you home so you can pack your clothes.”

“Huh? Pack my clothes?” Oh no, he wasn’t serious. “Wait, I’m not going to move in with you. Jody, that’s not fair, that’s going too far. Are you serious about that?” Would he really make her do that to keep his promise?

The very tip of Jody’s lip tilted up. “No. I’d like to demand it, but I know that won’t work with you. So as long as you promise me that you girls will always leave the alarm on and keep your pepper spray on you, and if you are ever alone, keep it in your hand, I won’t make you move in with me … yet.”

At the sound of the police sirens, Steven started stirring. When Vlad saw him he said, “I’d suggest you stay down, asshole.” Vlad would have liked to take a couple of swings at him, too.

The officer that got out of the first squad car was the same one that Lacey had spoken to about Steven. “Ms. Benoit. I’m sorry that we’re meeting again like this. Can I assume that is Steven?”